Having the essential quilting tools at your disposal can make all the difference in the outcome of your project. In this post, I'll show you my top 10, must-have quilting tools that every quilter needs in their toolkit. And a few extras 🙂
Are you a beginner quilter and don't know which quilting tools and supplies you'll really need? I'm here to help you out. A seasoned quilter? Read on, I've got an extra list of good-to-have quilting tools for you too!
If you're new to quilting, also look at this top beginner quilt patterns post, or go visit the quilting for beginners guide. You'll learn so much, for free!
Table Of Contents
At the beginning of my quilting journey, I often got stuck because I didn't have the right tools or gadgets and wasn't sure which ones I needed. Even if my favorite crafts shop was (still is!) full of 'must-have' products, there are just a few basic quilting tools I NEED when quilting. And use - like, all the time. So here's everything you need to start quilting. First, the three :
1-3 → Must-Have Basic Quilting Tools
No time to read all? Get these 3 items: a rotary cutter, a self-healing cutting mat, and a quilting ruler - this square Omnigrip, and the large one, 24" by 6".
These 3 tools are crucial for accurate cutting, you'll be investing in precision from the start:
Rotary Cutter
Starting with the first must-have for me - a good rotary cutter - look for one with a 45mm blade. A good rotary cutter will make your cutting easy and quick. My Olfa rotary cutters (I have quite a few) cut through layers like a hot knife through butter - on one condition: keep replacement blades at hand! I keep a few spare blades, so my fabric never ends up in uncut threads along the cutting line. Here's my Olfa Pink cutter + cutting mat set, as shown in the free fabric tray pattern post:
TOP TIP: Get a few good replacement blades for your rotary cutter (Amazon, Joanns) when shopping for your rotary cutter.
Cutting Mat
To keep your work area safe and your rotary cutter sharp, get yourself a cutting mat. These mats are tough, self-healing, and come in different sizes. I also have one folding cutting mat by Olfa - so easy to transport! At first, I was skeptical as to how long that fold would last - but I've been using it for years with no problem!
Acrylic Ruler
Get yourself a quilting ruler—it's a must for precise cuts in your quilting projects. This 6" x 24" ruler is super versatile and can handle all sorts of quilting jobs.
See my 4 Favorite Quilting Rulers!
I also have a small square set that is perfect to square up scrap pieces of fabric - that's a lovely 'extra' to have - it's in the nice-to-have section below.
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While it's good to keep the price in mind for anything extra, trust me - keep your eye on the high quality of the cutter, ruler, and mat. You'll thank yourself later. Now, on to the next quilting tools:
4-10 → Quilting Tools You Need
A Walking foot - with a guide
A walking foot helps a lot! It makes quilting so much easier, I strongly recommend you get it early in your quilting journey. You'll never look back! Get one with the quilting guide, it makes things even easier.
TOP TIP: walking feet for a drop-in bobbin, and walking feet for a front-load bobbin are different - not interchangeable!! Find out here what type of bobbin your machine has.
Iron
Don't skip pressing your fabric and seams—it’s crucial for a neat quilt. Use a good iron with adjustable heat and steam, along with a sturdy ironing board, to get those crisp, flat seams every time.
No need to cost a fortune! I had a Rowenta Pro line iron for years, but recently ended up using a simple, household T-Fal express steam iron (it does have a good steam function). Totally fine!
Sewing Machine
Kinda obvious, right? 🙂 Hand-sewing quilts are lovely but time-consuming. A sewing machine will make things much faster. If you know you'll use it for large quilts, look for one with a wide throat space. But for most (including me!), a simple domestic sewing machine is good: I created this sewing machine list.
Fabric scissors
Sharp fabric scissors are a must for cutting quilt blocks and trimming seams. Look for comfy grips and precise blades, and use your pair just for fabric. These popular Fiskars classics will do the job just perfectly. For top precision with small cuts, get these Westcott small scissors.
Sewing Clips
I don’t know how others feel but I can never work without sewing clips:
Love using sewing clips to attach binding —no more pricks, and so much easier than using pins! (get them on Amazon)
Seam ripper
Every quilter needs a seam ripper to fix mistakes quickly. Here's my favorite:
Look for M/L size for this 'Cindy's Seam Ripper' on Amazon, or Etsy.
The Seam Creaser
When marking quilting lines, you need marks that vanish – no stains allowed! My favorite? The Flamingo Stiletto Turning Tool.
It’s perfect for seam creasing, marking lines, and turning sharp points. Thinner than a Hera marker, it’s my go-to for straight-line quilting and perfect points!
Prefer the classic shape? Get one of the best-sellers: this Dritz hera marker on Amazon (Or get it at Joann's here.)
..or Erasable Fabric Marker
A second favorite, a disappearing ink marking pen (here: Amazon, Joann's). You'll find them under the Dritz, Clover, Singer brands - all reliable and good. Erasable fabric markers come as heat-erasable pens, water erasable markers, and air-erasable markers. (But I wouldn't use the heat-erasable pens to mark quilting lines. Just in case the finished quilt ever gets in a cold environment, like in a car in the winter, the lines would reappear!)
TOP TIP: While my favorite is an air erasable marker, you'll want to use water erasable marking pen if you need more time between marking and quilting!
10-15 → Extra Quilting Tools you could use!
Additional supplies I recommend. Here are a few extras that will make your quilting even more enjoyable.
Special Rulers
While you probably know the Stripology ruler set, my personal favorites are the Cute Cuts sets by Lori Holt. Amazing for squaring up my quilt blocks, and probably my most-used is the 6 ½" Trim-It. Here's how I use it to square up a quilt:
Good alternatives: Omnigrip (get it at Joann's or Amazon)
Small embroidery scissors
Small embroidery scissors keep your work neat and tidy. They make it easy to trim threads precisely without damaging your fabric. Get a pair of small snips at Amazon, Joanns, or your local store.
¼" presser foot
Use a ¼" presser foot with a guide for accurate seams. This one on Amazon is for my Janome sewing machine model with a top load bobbin. Some quilters say it's a must-have, for me it is a nice-to-have. I personally prefer this (no-guide) ¼" presser foot.
Quilting Gloves
Quilting gloves will give you a better grip for smooth free-motion quilting. Some quilters swear by them, I hardly ever use them (but also, I mostly just straight-line quilt). They come in different sizes (small/med/large), so make sure to get the right size quilting gloves that fit well and provide a good grip.
Also, they come in different designs: the popular full-fingered quilting gloves, but also fingerless quilting gloves, and then there's a special, three-finger-design quilting gloves like the Regis brand:
| Type of Quilting Gloves | Description | Popular Brands/Retailers |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Fingered Quilting Gloves | A popular choice for your first pair. These gloves cover the entire hand, providing full coverage and a good grip. | Machingers (Amazon), Sullivan's Grip-It-Gloves (Joann's) |
| Fingerless Quilting Gloves | Cover your palm but leave the fingertips free. This design offers a balance between grip and the ability to feel the fabric directly. (And thread the needle without ever taking them off - useful!) | Rexchi at Amazon |
| Three-Finger-Design Quilting Gloves | Feature a special three-finger design. | Regis brand (Joann's, Amazon) |
Quilter's Clapper
Here's mine:
Have you only heard of using the tailor's clapper so far, right? Me too, until one Christmas when I got a really nice present: pretty, totally real, Quilter's Clapper. (Thank you Santa!)
Not so many years ago, I was not so enthusiastic about pressing. Let alone any 'hocus-pocus' making seams flatter using hardwood. Aka tailor's clapper. But listen to me, it does make a huge (huge!) difference. I even use it for bagmaking - these recessed zipper panels get super flat:
What is a quilter's clapper?
Never heard of the Quilter's Clapper? Like a tailor's clapper, a quilter's clapper is a classic tool used with a steam iron to set a seam. The only difference between the tailor's clapper and the quilter's clapper is the size: the latter is smaller. These classic hardwood tools will make perfectly pressed seams for your quilting and sewing projects. When they are used with a steam iron, they will help remove moisture from fabric to have crisp, flat seams on quilt blocks - or garments.
A Misting Spray Bottle
Can't always get all wrinkles out? Your seams not laying flat no matter what you do? Maybe it's time for a misting spray bottle. It's a fantastic tool for quilting - it makes it easier to press out wrinkles and creases for a smooth finish. Result? The seams are set more precisely and the fabric lays flat.
Mine is called 'The Ultimate Fabric Mister', by Riley Blake Designs. I only use it with water, but it's also great to use with liquid starch. Important? This one gives you a very fine mist (so no soaking the fabric with thick water drops!)
+BONUS: Free Pattern - DIY Tray for your quilting tools
And here's an extra, to keep your favorite tools handy for easy access. I have made myself a few super handy fabric trays, from scraps, and you can too! Use my free trinket tray pattern in 3 sizes.
Related Posts
Last but not least, let me mention not just tools, but also these: quilting fabric, thread, and batting.
Quality thread
Not worth skimping, cheap thread will make you hate the whole hobby. I started with and recommend getting a value pack of Gutermann 50wt Sew-All. Coats is one of the good-quality, budget-friendly brands that my local quilting shop carries too.
| Thread Brand | Get it here: | |
|---|---|---|
| Value Pack | Gutermann 50wt Sew-All Thread | Amazon or Joann's |
| Budget-friendly | Coats & Clarks' all-purpose thread | Joann's or Amazon |
| Creme-de-la-creme | Aurifil | Amazon |
Quality Quilt Cotton
Simple: stick to high-quality fabric. Better results, smoother feel, beautiful texture and no bleeding once washed. You don't want your precious, finished quilt to get ruined because you had bought the cheapest fabric with uneven weave and a shady dye quality. See my go-to fabric shops.
Quilt Binding
Quilt binding, either purchased or make it yourself - here's how to make your own quilt binding
Plus, a basting spray (my fav is Odif 505)
My Amazon Favorites
When I use a product I love, and Amazon has it, I can add it to my personal Favorites collection on Amazon, like some fabric collection I love, a tool, or my new sewing machine.
And you can see it when you visit my Amazon storefront.
So you can see what I love sewing with!
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes, I'm all about getting an inexpensive product. But sometimes, it just doesn't work. I once went cheap on a pair of pinking shears. I thought to save money and bought them somewhere for really, really cheap. I wasn't able to use them as they didn't cut through a single layer of thin cotton. I'm not making this mistake a second time: currently, I have Kai pinking shears.
I'm buying all my cutting tools from brands I trust. If you're curious which other sewing tools I rely on and recommend, check out my personal Favorites list I keep on Amazon.
Some quilters do, and have no issues with those. But I find gloves made just for quilting are nicer to use than other thin gloves with grippy stuff. They are thinner and more comfortable, and usually don't stretch as much with use.
I'm guessing you could use my favorite list of fabric shops online, check it out. I can never have enough of quilting cotton!
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